S Columbian Way / S Alaska Street Paving Project

Updated: July 9, 2018

What’s happening now?

Thank you to all the neighbors, business owners, and community groups that have engaged with the project over the last several months. We are still working to finalize the construction schedule with the contractor. At this point, we expect construction to begin mid-to-late July 2018.

We’ll be sending regular construction updates including schedule information before work begins.

Project Overview

S Columbian Way / S Alaska St between Beacon Ave S and Martin Luther King Jr Way S is a two-way arterial serving southeast Seattle. This stretch of road provides an important connection for all commuters between Beacon Hill and Rainier Valley. Our goal is to improve the safety, accessibility, and comfort for all users.

This year, we plan to start work to repave about 1 mile of S Columbian Way / S Alaska St between Beacon Ave S and Martin Luther King Jr Way S. As part of the repaving, we will be taking off the old top layer of the road, placing new asphalt and repainting the lane lines. In addition to repaving, we will also be putting in a new protected bike lane along this stretch of road between Beacon Ave S and Martin Luther King Jr Way S.

Other improvements include:

Installing or upgrading curb ramps to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Replacing traffic detection loops that control the signals

Repairing and replacing some sections of sidewalk in the project area

Building a pedestrian refuge island at the intersection of S Alaska St and S Alaska Pl